How to retrieve a OS (win2k, XP, 2k3)

[bias_hjorth]

There´s quite a few way you can loose your OS. The most common is indeed overclocking and the most common there is a missing system file.
Well I´ve never seen this guide on XS before so i´ll give it a shot and post it for you guys in case you didnt knew it. I´ve been doing this a number of times and it works everytime.

Error:

System glitches the loading windows screen and show following error:

"System could not start cause of missing file
\windows\system32\config\system. (something)"

Solution:

Insert your windows cd. Reboot on the CD and the first following windows install screen you choose "recovery console"
Once the install enters recovery mode you should enter.


cd\ (the console might start at c:\windows)
cd windows\system32\config (if the console start at c:\windows\ you should only enter the digit´s after c:\windows\)
dir system
ren system system.bak
copy c:\windows\repair\system


Press CTRL + ALT + Delete or hit the reset button

And badabing - Windows is now working. Although you should reinstall chipset and graphic driver. I have not notice any performance slowdown after doing this method.
If you should have any questions feel free to ask

edit: spelling.

[SteveOCZ]

Nice. Most times when I get errors loading windows I can just back off the overclock some and it boots right up.

[bias_hjorth]

Yeah I know that one

This one is if you have that error permanently

[cuddles]

I get that problem a lot when I put my HTT to things like 290.

I just reset CMOS and continue as normal. I've had that error like 20 times and never lost any data or my OS (of course).

[bias_hjorth]

You must be a lucky man cuddles

[bias_hjorth]

Its a lot faster. This could be done in a minute or two

[andyOCZ]

I get the missing file routine when I drop my CPU voltage on my 90nm 3500+ to 1.5v and try to hit 2700mhz. LOL

[G H Z]

Good info Bias

I tried RC on a triple boot drive, 2 win2K, and 1 server 03 partition. 'FIXBOOT' and FIXMBR" are bad idea's and made Windows recognise server 03 as a win2K install. (Yes I targeted the correct partitions)

You can also backstep directories in RC with this command CD ..
Yes, you need the space in there

Another thing when loading multiple OS'es is that you always want to install the older version(s) first. With the two in this example, if you load Server 2003 first, and then Windows 2000, the Server 2003 partition will not boot as it's boot record will be modofied by the 2000 install.

[coop]

Multi boot/OS also make it possible to copy a fresh install to a folder. For example, I have Me, 2k, and XP. I can copy 2k or XP into folders on a partition other than their own and if (when) either gets a bit ragged or totally corrupted, the partition can be formatted and then copied from the respective saved folder. All programs, updates and settings are available in a few minutes. Of course if there are emails, screens, or other additions since the initial install/save they also will need to be saved and re-copied.

[MaxxxRacer]

bias, thanks for the info, but ive never had good luck with the recovery console. Glad you got it to work though. I should save this information somewhere that I will be able to find this. I will pm saaya if he hasnt already seen this to post it as a sticky. I think it is approprately placed.

[cuddles]

I think we need a seperate sticky Forum within each sub category. It's getting annoying scrolling down because of 15 stickies to get past :p

[saaya]

hmmm moved it to the os section and stickied it there...

yeah, there are a lot of stickies on the forum.... but moving them is problematic since they are still getting used, and once we move them they barely get attention anymore and die off...

[cuddles]

Well you could set it up like

-> Xtreme
--> Xtreme Overclocking
---> Xtreme Overclocking Stickies

And have Xtreme Overclocking as the primary forum. Just have the Xtreme OC Stickies forum one layer down type thing. ocforums.com has it set up like that, I find it works well. But you are right, stickies here do get a lot of traffic.

[MaxxxRacer]

we actually do. Its called the "best of" section. I dont know if fugger kept it though. I noticed one day the stickeis were all gone. Is it that way. Im too lazy to look.

[bias_hjorth]

thanks guys Hope you´ll get it fully working

[reject]

what to do if windows freezes on the menu asking what to do (normal, safe mode, enable vga etc.)
i had to reinstall windows but luckily i just copied it over and found my documents were retained and about 75% of my programs still worked (maybe the registry is kept idk)
the cd key ones sometimes need a reinstall, but its better tahn format
is there a quicker way? i think it said mup.sys before frezzing when loading safemode

[bias_hjorth]

Have you rechecked DMI in bios?

[eshbach]

hmm, i tried this and when i rebooted i got an error saying that when trying to reset a password the current system password was incorrect and then the computer promptly rebooted.

oh well, time for a reinstall.

[bias_hjorth]

Anyone having luck with this guide?

Or am I the only one

[the]

now wiht a recovery this way do i need to reinstall my programs?

[bias_hjorth]

now wiht a recovery this way do i need to reinstall my programs?

You´ll need to install all of those that has a reg. key. - yes.. (highly recommendable)

[oqy77]

I have this experience when I'm oc'ing my system. Ran Prime95=48hrs stable... superPI 32m with no problem..

but when I ran D2OL.... hell broke loose. it ran fine in a couple of minutes... then BSOD.... then rebooted by itself.... and ....

my winXP won't boot. it just went blank (black screen) when I choose that OS.

oh yeah I have 2 Os installed, the other is winXP x64 trial. Good thing that this Os still works (after I set everything back to default / no Oc'ing).. so I check the partition which had the ordinary winxp ... it's in good condition.

after some tweaking on the multiple boot configuration (i forgot what it said)... finally there's an activity on the winxp partition... and now its saying :

Windows XP could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt: \WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SYSTEM

soo... in winXP x64.. i checked (thanks to my friend sUBS @ CHIP Forum Malaysia for providing me this info ) Microsoft's troubleshooting knowledge Database in the internet and found this :

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307545

I followed every detail and steps @ that link. and voila .... my winXP has risen again, with all the drivers & *softwares* that I had installed.

**some info ... to get that link work effectively... you MUST make a "system restore point" before any attempts on Overclocking / after installing new drivers/chipsets and also after installing new softwares/applications.

hope this helps.

[aasmaukr]

Oh nice, this has happened to me two to three times lately when testing my new G.Skill TCCD. Now i wont have to reinstall windows any more

[Boogerlad]

does recovery console fix the os even if a couple dlls are missing? cause my friend wants me to fix it but she started to try to fix it herself and it got worse.

[lastninja]

excellent thread!
is there any similar procedure for windows vista?